Religious Clubs In Schools

Constitution's First Amendment requirement that the District neither establish religion in the schools nor prohibit students’ free exercise of religion according to pertinent interpretation and application of those constitutional provisions by the courts. Any religious characters need to conform to policy 8800” (Markesan District School, 2013). “Decisions of the United States Supreme Court have made it clear that it is not the province of a public school to advance or inhibit religious beliefs or practices” (Markesan District School, 2015). Under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution, this remains the “inviolate province of the individual and the church of his/her choice. The rights of any minority, no matter how small, must be protected. District staff members shall not use prayer, religious readings, or religious symbols as a devotional exercise or in an act of worship or celebration” (20 U.S.C. 4071 et seq.) (Markesan District School, 2015). Having examined the Markesan District School First Amendment related to this topic the next step is to conclude my research on this topic.

The First Amendment is designed to protect all citizens by giving them the right to express themselves in different ways. In doing so, we still have to be careful on how we do it. Students have the right to express themselves as long as it does not cause any disruption. In my school district, we abides by the First Amendment by not forbidding all mention of religion in the school system (Pamlico County Board of Education, 2015). The only part that is prohibited is the advancement or inhibition of religion (Pamlico County Board of Education, 2015). My school district feels that there’s nothing unconstitutional about using religious subjects or materials as long as it is in compliance to the neutrality of the education program (Pamlico County Board of Education, 2015).

Issues involving public schools and religion have been topics involving intense debate. It is difficult for the government to elucidate the appropriate boundaries of religion in the public schools. It is true that teaching about religion is permitted in the public education systems, but the real question is where the margin should be set between teaching religion and simply teaching about religion. It is almost impossible to teach about the history of the United States without teaching that religious beliefs associated with the history, artwork, and literature. More than the public is lead to believe, The Constitution permits religious activities in and around public school buildings. It is unfortunate that the

“Our government has been based on religious principles since the very beginning. The Declaration says,” We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by certain unalienable rights…”.” This shows that our constitution, made for independence, wants the American people to keep God with them in everything they do. Even George Washington declared that U.S. citizens need to obey God and his will. George Washington was the first president of the United States. If he wanted the people to listen to God and obey his will, why change that now? Religion in school is not harmful in anyway. People can get talked about and bullied for their religion they practice. That is life and no one should be judged because of their religion they practice or live with. This is a free country and religion in school would not only help the students and teachers, who do not know much about religion but help people to have a better understanding and respect for other people's culture. Maybe, some people prefer not to pray at school, which is not a problem. Prayer would not be mandatory. Everyone's prayers are different; students would not be forced to say their prayer. Only if they want to. “...the supreme court did not “remove prayer from public schools.” The court removed only government sponsored worship (“Ten Reasons”

After researching the details of Good News Club v. Milford Central School case, many questions rose about Clark County School District, in which I work. Clark County School District has a “Non-Discrimination and Accessibility Notice” that is very clear of the purpose to not discriminate and what step should be taken if a group feels discriminated against ("Clark County School District", 2014). The U. S. Supreme Courts decision does affect the students as well, especially in high school. Students are allowed free speech as to their religion and are able to form clubs and hold prayer, before and after school. I agree that students and groups (clubs) should be allowed free speech and practice as long as it does not interfere with school instructions and procedures. I still have many unanswered questions: How many groups are allowed access before and after school, per school? Is it on a first apply, first serve basis? How far is too far with religion and culture? Whom are the people that get to decide what groups are at what schools? I will continue to follow up on these questions as I have more discussions with my current principal and supervisor. I feel that it is best to know all the rules and regulations by asking questions, rather than assuming what is right and

Believe that authorizing prayer violates the student's rights according to separation of church and state. They also believe it teaches students that there are invisible, supernatural entities which can be implored and appeased through mumbling prayers or reading from holy books.

There is a similar case that involves freedom of religion, equality and the First Amendment, which is In Westside Community Board of Education v. Mergens (1990) “the Court upheld application of the Equal Access Act to prevent a secondary school from denying access to school premises to a student religious club while granting access to such other “noncurriculum” related student groups as a scuba diving club, a chess club, and a service club”(Justia

The issue of prayer in public schools is a highly discussed and salient topic. There are on-going cases in the courts regarding this topic of whether religion has a place in public institutions. For instance, I came across an article on the New York Times titled “Illinois School Settles Separation of Church and State Case”, where a public school has agreed to discontinue the practice of asking students who take the bus to arrive early for optional religious lectures at a Roman Catholic parish (Press). This decision stemmed from the legal challenge brought upon the school. Prior to this legal challenge, generations of students from the Teutopolis Grade School have begun their day with Catholic Mass or other prayer services at the St. Francis

Religious, Gays, and activities in school are for people who have different feelings/ different ways that things appeal to them. They associate with people who like the same thing as them. How would it make others feel about it? But in some schools in this country, aren’t allowed to be in a school with a different religion, because they must be that religion of that school or program that they attend to. First Amendment in school it is necessary because student clubs can be inappropriate, they may cause violence, and uncomfortableness. A school cannot deny equal access or discriminate against a students club based on their content. Students may also choose their own religion and leaders. Students may not want to be sociated with children who are gay or a religion. Violence could be added to if someone is being picked on because of who they are. Students may be uncomfortable discussing sexual orientation and how all students need to accept each other, whether gay or not.

Some schools want to censor school clubs and don’t give students their rights that are specifically stated in the First Amendment. In 1984, United States congress passed the Equal Access act, which forbids schools from discriminating against all clubs or religious viewpoints. This is why schools should not monitor school clubs. When schools keep their clubs unmonitored, it is violating the first amendment. “Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.” Therefore, if a school doesn’t let the student council, or whoever creates clubs, create a club that they don’t want, it is violating the first amendment. Not allowing certain school clubs violates more of the first amendment. “Or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” A redress is a remedy or set right. So if they did not let a certain club be created,

Since the times of Thomas Jefferson, there has been a separation of Church and State by the American government. The separation of Church and State means that the government of a country must keep a neutral attitude when dealing with religion. This separation has put a halt to the teaching of religion in public school which is a major disadvantage to the students. The solution is not to have Bible study on Wednesdays or even to have each student study the Koran, but to introduce classes in the public school system that outline different religions and how they shape the world. “[By] simply acknowledging that there must be a God [or other supreme being], that’s not religion by any standards,” so familiarizing students on this subject, does not break the wall that separates the Church and State (Greenberger).

It is a shame that we have a few people that think the separation of church and state means that the school can not even have a prayer. This I not what the forefathers mint when they wrote that the separation of church and state in to the constitution.

The separation of church and state has been pushed upon people for a very long time. Today, it is very, very unlikely to find a school where you can discuss religion. Although it seems that the majority believes that both state and church should be separated, there are more people that feel religion should be allowed in schools. If religion were allowed in schools, the children of America would have a better understanding of religion and of God.

Religion in Schools has proven to be a very controversial matter as of lately. Even though teaching about religion is allowed in public schools, there are still many questions that are being asked in order to provide a basis of what is appropriate for school, and what is inappropriate. The first amendment to the United States Constitution says that 'congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof' which implies that you have the choice of exercising your own religion, no matter what it may be. However, this poses an interesting argument within the public schools of America because we have such a diverse population with

One of the reasons that the separation of church and state is helpful is because it avoids favoritism. There are numerous religions in the United States of America, and it is impossible to establish one common religion among everyone in a public school. Public schools are controlled by the government, therefore; as David Carlson puts it, “This clause not only forbids the government from establishing an official religion, but also prohibits government actions that unduly favor one religion over another. [...]” Because the government owns public schools, and the government can not make laws to favor certain religions, public schools can not have one specific religion. This prohibits teachers from favoring religions in class, and from favoring a student or staff member due to their beliefs. Students can be themselves without having to worry